Matthew 25:14-46 Dear RTB’ers, Talents and the Final Judgment. A major contrast in these two accounts that Jesus related is that in the parable of the Talents each person (each of us?) is given some measure of “talents” to use here on earth. In the latter account, the Final Judgment, Jesus says nothing about what …
Category Archives: RTB 2026 – Search the Scriptures, Part 3
March 12 / Matthew 24:32-25:13
Matthew 24:32-25:13 Dear RTB’ers, OK, Jesus leaves me confused with the following words: Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the …
March 11 / Matthew 24:1-31
Matthew 24:1-31 Dear RTB’ers, Matthew 24 is a confusing chapter. Is Jesus talking about the fall of Jerusalem (which occurred in 70 AD), or is He speaking about the end times and His return, or is He speaking in general terms? Our STS companion book suggests that verses 4-14 are general principles; verses 15-28 are …
March 10 / Matthew 23:23-39
Matthew 23:23-39 Dear RTB’ers, Four woes today, and for two of them Jesus focuses on the filth of the inside (of the cup and the tomb) compared to the cleanliness of the outside. And yes, He means to draw our attention to our own internals, especially (no doubt) our heart attitudes. Jesus closes out His …
March 9 / Matthew 23:1-22
Matthew 23:1-22 Dear RTB’ers, Two simple sentences, both fundamentals of Jesus’ teachings: But the greatest of you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (vv. 1-2) Humble leadership. We don’t see that much. Our political leaders tend in the opposite direction! Strength! Visibility! Money! Not …
March 8 / Matthew 22:15-46
Matthew 22:15-46 Dear RTB’ers, I asked a simple question yesterday and asked for simple answers from you. John even nudged you to respond. No one answered. Another disappointment. Trust me, there is never a “Why do I bother?” question in me. I know why I bother. But I do wonder where the rest of you …
March 7 / Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-14 Dear RTB’ers, The parable of the king and the wedding feast. Two sentences stand out. First, the king speaking, “Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and …
March 6 / Matthew 21:23-46
Matthew 21:23-46 Dear RTB’ers, When the chief priests and the Pharisees try to challenge Jesus, He always gets the upper hand. But with today’s reading, they got a triple-dose of Jesus’ upper hand! In spite of being in the their own temple area, the Jewish leaders were on weak ground in challenging Jesus’ authority. From …
March 5 / Matthew 20:29-21:22
Matthew 20:29-21:22 Dear RTB’ers, I went to the VA yesterday and got tested – no flu, no COVID, no RSV. They gave me a week’s worth of antibiotics and cough suppressant. Hopefully I’ll get better soon. Thank you for your prayers! Two lives forever changed. They’re blind, sitting by the side of the road, possibly …
March 4 / Matthew 19:23-20:28
Matthew 19:23-20:28 Dear RTB’ers, I am not well, folks. Please pray for me. I always react negatively when I read the “laborers in the vineyard” parable. Those hired first speaking: And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal …